PCB chairperson Mohsin Naqvi remains positive on Team India’s arrival in Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

Mohsin Naqvi. (Source – Twitter/X)

There have been a flurry of talks revolving around the Champions Trophy 2025 in terms of India’s participation in the marquee event for a while now. Ever since Pakistan was chosen by the International Cricket Council as the venue to host the global event, several conversations have been brought to life regarding there being plans for India’s matches to be hosted at an alternate venue of Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates.

The Chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Naqvi, recently opened up on the same topic, and expressed confidence on India’s participation in the 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy.

“Indian team ki mujhe puri umeed hai, abhi tak koi aisi cheez nahi hui hai jiski wajah se woh postpone kare ya cancel kare. Toh saari teams aayengi (I have full hope that the Indian team will particapte [in the Champions Trophy 2025], there have been no reasons up until now due to which they reschedule or call off their participation. Every team will be making their way to Pakistan for the tournament),” stated Naqvi, as quoted by News18.

The upcoming installment of the Champions Trophy will be the first major ICC event hosted by Pakistan since they co-hosted the 1996 edition of the World Cup along with India and Sri Lanka. Notably, Pakistan were primed to co-host the 2011 edition as well. However, their hosting rights were stripped post a chilling attack on a touring Sri Lankan team’s bus back in 2009.

While India have not visited Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008, Pakistan have toured India on four separate instances – 2011 World Cup, 2012-13 white-ball bilateral series, 2016 T20 World Cup, and 2023 50-over World Cup.

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Whatever the government will decide, we will abide by that: Shukla 

The vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Rajeev Shukla, had opened up on the same a few days back. He made it clear that the final decision would be of the Indian government.

“No decision has been taken on it. But our policy is that for international tours, we always seek permission from the government. It’s up to the government to decide whether or not our team should go to any country. Whatever the government will decide, we will abide by that,” stated Shukla, as quoted by The Indian Express.

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Quite a few ex-cricketers of Pakistan have spoken on this issue already, and the general consensus has been that the political relationship between the two countries should not be mixed with cricketing affairs.